Region 4 - Alliance Annual Report - September 30, 2016

U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Atlanta Regional Office
61 Forsyth Street, S.W., Room 6T50
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(678) 237-0400; Fax (678) 237-0447

OSHA Training Institute Education Centers (OTIEC)
Region IV Alliance Annual Report
September 30, 2016

  1. Alliance Background

    1. Date Signed

      September 29, 2015

    2. Evaluation Period

      September 29, 2015, through September 28, 2016

    3. Overview

      The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Atlanta Regional Office and the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers (OTIECS) in Region IV recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. The OTIEC Alliance is focused on providing students and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers, particularly by reducing and preventing exposure to prevalent health and safety hazards in the general and construction industries.

    4. Implementation Team Membership and Contributors

      The implementation team included representatives from the OSHA Regional Office and the OTIECS in Region IV.

      OSHA

      Americo Pagan, Assistant Regional Administrator for Cooperative and State Programs
      Shawndolena Arnold-Postell, Regional Training Specialist
      Kaylene Sherrod-Moore, Regional Program Analyst
      Tom Bosley, Regional Alliance Coordinator

      Region IV - OSHA Training Institute Education Centers (OTIECS)

      Sheryl Foucher, University of Alabama (UA) OSHA Training Institute Education Center
      Bob Nesbit, University of South Florida (USF) OTI Education Center
      Keila Ashman, USF OTI Education Center
      Wendy Laing, North Carolina (NC) State University - OTI Education Center
      Teresa Chapman, NC State University - OTI Education Center
      Tammy Cole, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) - OTI Education Center
      Myrtle Turner, Georgia Tech OTI Education Center
      Zach Rhodus, EKU - OTI Education Center
      Jim Brock, Florida State College at Jacksonville - OTI Education Center
      Bob Jankiewicz, Volunteer State Community College - OTI Education Center
      Bryan Lane, University of Tennessee - OTI Education Center

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    Quarterly implementation team meetings were conducted by telephone and in person during the following periods:

    • January 21, 2016
    • March 9, 2016
    • May 10 through 12, 2016 (OTIEC Directors meeting in May 10 - 12- Charlotte, NC)
    • June 1, 2016

  3. Results

    The following table summarizes the Alliance's activities in support of the goals in the Alliance agreement.

    Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives: The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following goal related to raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives:

    • To share information on OSHA's National/Regional/Local Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, and opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process.
    • To share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
    • To convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on National, Regional and Local Emphasis Program topics in order to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

     
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Other On September 29, 2015, following several months of discussion and coordination a strategic Alliance was signed between OSHA Region IV and the OTI Education Centers in Region IV. Potential impact areas - Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation

    15
    (number in attendance)
    Other The Georgia Tech - OTI Education Center hosted the Atlanta–FFSHC meeting on January 20, 2016. Construction, Fall Prevention, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation.

    15
    Dissemination On January 29, 2016, the USF OTI Education Center offered a free Health & Safety Education Fair in the Jacksonville community to bring awareness to some of the most frequently cited OSHA standards. Construction, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/ Chemical, and Transportation.

    126
    Other During this period, the Georgia Tech - OTI Education Center established a discount code for members of the Atlanta–FFSHC interested in attending training courses. Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation

    25+
    Dissemination On Wednesday, March 2, 2016, a conference call was conducted between the Atlanta Regional Office and OSHA's National Office (the Office of Alliance Programs and the Office of Federal Agencies Programs) to discuss the following:
    • Background of the OTI Education Center Alliance
    • Alliance Focus
    • Success of the Alliance
    		 Construction, Fall Prevention, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation

    4
    Other During this period, the University of Tennessee and Volunteer State Community College - OTI Education Centers coordinating with the OSHA Nashville Area Office in an effort to revitalize the Middle Tennessee - FFSHC. Construction, Fall Prevention, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation

    19 workers, representing 13 agencies
    Other May 10 through 12, 2016, the Region IV – Assistant Regional Administrator (ARA) for Cooperative and State Programs (CSP) attended the Annual OTI Education Center Directors Meeting in Charlotte, NC. Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation

    20+
    Other During this period, the Georgia Tech - OTI Education Center conducted several brainstorming sessions with the Atlanta–FFSHC, regarding a proposed Fed Week Training Seminar Series. Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation

    5

    Training and Education: The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following training and education goal:

    • To develop effective training and education programs for industry to promote understanding of workers' rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, and the responsibilities of employers and to communicate such information to workers and employers.
    • To deliver or arrange for the delivery of health and safety training to targeted industries in support of OSHA's National/Regional/Local Emphasis Programs.
    • Coordinate with Field Federal Safety and Health Councils by hosting meetings and providing instructors at meetings.
    • Collectively assessing the employer training needs in Region IV and the geographical distribution of OTIECs.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Training Southeastern OTIEC at NC State University hosted the North Carolina – FFSHC's quarterly meeting on December 7, 2015. This event was focused an effective Safety and Health Program Management. Fall Prevention and Heat Illness Prevention

    27
    Training The USF OTI Education Center provided members of the South Florida FFSHC with safety and health training during a meeting on February 10, 2016. Recordkeeping

    15
    Training The USF OTI Education Center provided members of the South Florida FFSHC with safety and health training during a meeting on March 28, 2016. This event was focused on OSHA's Permit-Required Confined Space Standard. Hazard Communication/ Chemical

    27
    Training The USF OTI Education Center provided members of the South Florida FFSHC with safety and health training during a meeting on March 29, 2016. This event was focused on Safety & Health Management. Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation

    28
    Training The USF OTI Education Center provided members of the South Florida FFSHC with safety and health training during a meeting on March 30, 2016. This event was focused on Recordkeeping Rules Seminar. Small Business, Temporary Workers

    25
    Training The USF OTI Education Center provided members of the South Florida FFSHC with safety and health training during a meeting on March 31, 2016. This event was focused on machinery and machine safeguarding. Hazard Communication/ Chemical

    28
    Training Southeastern OTIEC at NC State University provided instruction and a fall hazard demonstration for the North Carolina – FFSHC's quarterly meeting. This event was conducted in conjunction with the OSHA National Fall Prevention Stand-down on May 5, 2016. Fall Prevention

    35
    Training During this period, the UA - OTI Education Center provided free training to support OSHA 2016 Fall Protection Stand-Down. These events were conducted at the following locations in Alabama:
    • Birmingham, AL
    • Madison, AL
    • Tuscaloosa, AL
    		 Fall Prevention

    100
    (attendees)
    35
    (attendees)
    70
    (attendees)
    Training The University of South Florida (USF) provided free training to support OSHA 2016 Fall Protection Stand-Down in Ft. Lauderdale and Wesley Chapel. Fall Prevention

    39
    Training The University of South Florida (USF) provided member of the South Florida FFSHC with safety and health training during meeting on May 12, 2016. This event was focused on Excavation. Construction

    34
    Training In July 2016, the UA - OTI Education Center conducted two safety and health training courses for members of the Mississippi Gulf Coast – FFSHC. Construction, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/ Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation

    19
    (attendees)
    18
    (attendees)
    Training During this period, the EKU - OTI Education Center conducted several safety and health training sessions, including three free sessions focused on Regional Emphasis Programs (REP). Construction and Hazard Communication/Chemical

    25
    Training On August 10, 2016, the EKU – OTI Education Center conducted an OSHA 7205, which was heavily focused on the new OSHA standard for silica. Hazard Communication/ Chemical and

    10
    Training On August 12, 2016, the EKU - OTI Education Center conducted an OSHA 7405 course, which was focused on the prevention of falls in the construction industry. Fall Prevention

    10
    Training On September 12, 2016, EKU - OTI Education Center offered a free class at Tennessee Safety Fest in Oakridge, Tennessee, on public warehousing and storage (OSHA 7005), which included modules on fork lift safety in addition to other hazards Transportation

    10

    Outreach and Communication: The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

    • To speak, exhibit, and/or appear at OSHA's, safety and health conferences, local meetings, Region IV VPPPA Conference, Field Federal Safety and Health Council (FFSHC) meetings and related events.
    • To work with other Alliance Participants on specific issues and projects, such as the Regional safety stand-down, that are addressed and developed through the Alliance.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Dissemination and Exhibit The Region IV – OTIEC's exhibited at the Region IV VPPPA - June 21 - 23, 2016, Lexington, KY. During this event the group promoted the OTIEC Alliance. During this event, the USF OTI Education Center also contributed a voucher for attendance to any safety and health course. Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation.

    500+
    Exhibit, Speech/Presentation, Dissemination During this period, representatives from the UA OSHA Training Institute Education Center promoted the Region IV – OTIEC Alliance and exhibited at the following events:
    • Alabama Governor's Safety and Health Conference
    • Southern Company Contractor Safety Forum in Montgomery, AL
    • American Society of Safety engineers (ASSE) Professional Development Day in Birmingham, AL
    • The Public Employee Safety Council Conference in Montgomery, AL
    • Alabama Manufacturing Fall Conference, Point Clear, AL
    		 Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation.

    1,000+
    Dissemination Southeastern OTIEC at NC State University disseminated more the September edition of its bi-monthly newsletter “Safety Guardian” to more than 6,000 employers and workers across the including members of the North Carolina – FFSHC. Hazard Communication/Chemical.

    6000
    Exhibit, Speech/Presentation, Dissemination During this period, the Georgia Tech - OTI Education Center supported all of the safety and health stand-down events conducted by OSHA Regionally and Nationally. Construction, Fall Prevention, Hazard Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation.

    1,000+

  4. Evaluation

    N/A

  5. Upcoming Milestones for 2014 to 2015

    • The OSHA and OTIEC Alliance will be renewed for a 5-year term.
    • The Alliance group will continue to effectively support the Field Federal Safety and Health Councils (FFSHC) in OSHA Region IV.
    • The Alliance group will continue to effectively support and promote OSHA's fall and heat illness prevention campaigns.
    • The Alliance group will continue to effectively educate and training workers on topics related to OSHA's Regional and National Emphasis Programs.

Report Prepared by: Tom Bosley, Region IV Alliance Coordinator